Centre approves 4-lane upgrade of Paramakudi-Ramanathapuram NH-87 stretch to boost mobility, trade, and tourism in Tamil Nadu.
The Union Cabinet has approved the construction of a 4-lane section of NH-87 from Paramakudi to Ramanathapuram in Tamil Nadu. The 46.7 km stretch will be developed under Hybrid Annuity Mode (HAM) at a capital cost of ₹1,853 crore.
This strategic upgrade will ease congestion on the existing 2-lane network, which currently supports high traffic volumes across towns like Paramakudi, Sathirakudi, Achundanvayal, and Ramanathapuram. The corridor is part of the Madurai-Dhanushkodi route and plays a vital role in religious tourism, trade, and logistics.
The project enhances connectivity with five National Highways (NH-38, NH-85, NH-36, NH-536, NH-32) and three State Highways (SH-47, SH-29, SH-34). It will also improve access to Madurai Airport, two railway stations (Madurai and Rameshwaram), and ports at Pamban and Rameshwaram.
Beyond infrastructure, the project is expected to generate 8.4 lakh direct and 10.5 lakh indirect person-days of employment, strengthen multimodal integration, and unlock economic potential across southern Tamil Nadu.
Source: PIB
